Operating Instructions for Your

Cobra® 6 Band™ Extra Sensory Detection®

RADAR/LASER
DETECTOR
MODEL E S D – 6 0 6 0

X K/K
a L
V
/S Cty

Nothing comes close to a Cobra™

 • Detects and provides separate alerts for: • TONE ALERTS with adjustable volume • Distinguishes important safety alerts‚ from
RADAR/LASER radar signals (X, K, and Ka bands, with • ULTRABRIGHT™ DATA DISPLAY other K band signals

DETECTOR
MODEL E S D – 6 0 6 0
Congratulations
You’ve made a smart choice by purchasing the
ESD-6060 radar/laser detector from Cobra.®
Just look at some of the sophisticated features
and capabilities your new unit includes:
signal strength indicated)
laser signals
is easy-to-read
• CITY or HIGHWAY modes to reduce
• Mounts easily on windshield or dashboard
This booklet describes the simple steps for
emergency vehicle safety signals false alerts mounting and setting up your ESD-6060. It also
• SAFETY ALERT® Traffic Warning System provides helpful information about how radar and
VG-2 signals
• MANUAL MUTE or AUTO MUTE laser guns are used and how you can interpret
• LASEREYE ® for 360° detection of laser the alerts you receive.
of audio alerts
signals
• “INSTANT-ON” speed monitoring detection

12V DC
POWER JACK LASEREYE ® for 360°
detection of laser signals.

ON-OFF/VOLUME power 12V DC POWER JACK ON-OFF/VOLUME control

control allows you to indicator
adjust the volume of
the TONE alerts. SPEAKER

X K/Ka L V/S Cty

CITY/HIGHWAY
mode indicators

radar laser VG-2 and safety windshield

indicator indicator indicators bracket
mount
MUTE button for MANUAL MUTE or CITY button for CITY or HIGHWAY
AUTO MUTE of audio alerts. modes to reduce false alerts.
 Important Information
Important information about...
Federal Laws Governing the Use of
Radar Detectors
It is not against federal law to receive radar
transmissions with your Cobra® radar
detector. The Communications Act of 1924
guarantees your right to receive radio
transmissions on any frequency. Local laws
that contravene this Act, while illegal, may
be enforced by your local law enforcement
officials until and unless they are prohibited
from doing so by federal court action.
Safety Alert®
Use of this product is not intended to, and
does not, ensure that motorists or
passengers will not be involved in traffic
accidents. It is only intended to alert the
motorist that an emergency vehicle
equipped with a Cobra® Safety Alert ®
transmitter is within range as defined by
that product. Please call local fire and
police departments to learn if coverage
exists in your area.
A1
Safe Driving
Motorists, as well as operators of
emergency or service vehicles, are
expected to exercise all due caution
while using this product, and to obey
all applicable traffic laws.
Security of Your Vehicle
Before leaving your vehicle, always
remember to conceal your radar
detector in order to reduce the
possibility of break-in and theft.
Customer Support
In this user's manual, you should find all
the information you need to install and
operate your ESD-6060. If you require
further assistance after reading through
this manual, Cobra® Electronics offers the
following customer support services:
Automated Help Desk is available 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week at 773-889-3087.
Customer Service Operators are available
at 773-889-3087 Monday through Friday,
8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. CST.
Questions can be faxed to 773-622-2269.
Automated Technical Assistance is
available 24 hours, 7 days a week via e-mail
at: productinfo@cobra.com
On-line answers to frequently asked questions
can be found at: www.cobra.com.
Table of Contents
Important information about...
Federal Laws, Safety Alert,® Safe Driving,
Security of Your Vehicle, Customer Support.................................................................................. A1
Installation .................................................................................................................................. 2- 4
Operation–Getting Started ............................................................................................................ 5
Operation–Settings ...................................................................................................................... 6-7
Highway/City Mode ................................................................................................................ 6
Muting an Alert ...................................................................................................................... 7
Auto Mute Mode .................................................................................................................... 7
Detection .................................................................................................................................... 8-11
Signals Detected .................................................................................................................... 8
Audio Alerts ............................................................................................................................ 9
Visual Display ........................................................................................................................ 9-10
Instant-On Detection ................................................................................................................ 11
Responding to Alerts ................................................................................................................ 11
Understanding Radar and Laser ...................................................................................................... 12-13
Maintenance and Service .............................................................................................................. 14-15
Limited 1-Year Warranty ................................................................................................................ 16
Specifications .............................................................................................................................. 17
Optional Accessories .................................................................................................................... 18
Order Form .................................................................................................................................. 19
1 I N S TA L L AT I O N I N S TA L L AT I O N
1
Where to Mount Your Unit Radar and laser signals pass through glass Windshield Mounting 5. To adjust the angle if necessary,
but not through other materials and objects. gently push or pull on the bracket
You will get optimum performance from 1. Attach the rubber cups to the bracket.
Objects that can block or weaken incoming to bend it. DO NOT use the
your ESD-6060 if you mount it at a point
signals include: detector to bend the bracket.
approximately in the center of the vehicle,
as low as possible on the front windshield windshield wiper blades
without obstructing the unit's view of the mirrored sun screens
road either to the front or rear. You can dark tinting at the top of the
also mount it directly on the dashboard. windshield
heated windshields currently available 2. Make sure the rubber cups and
X K
/Ka
V
/S
Cty

on some vehicles (Instaclear for Ford,® your windshield are clean. 6. Plug the power cord into the detector.
Electriclear for GM,® consult your
dealer to see if you have this option) 3. Push the bracket firmly onto
the windshield.
Windshield mounting

X K
/Ka
V
/S
Cty

7. Plug the cigarette lighter adapter on

the power cord into your vehicle's
Dashboard mounting
cigarette lighter.
The unit's lenses must not be blocked and 4. Attach the detector to the bracket.
the LaserEye® should have a clear view out Check the angle of the unit.
the back window to allow 360° detection.

8. You can temporarily remove the

detector whenever you wish by
sliding it off of the bracket.
Instaclear for Ford ® is a registered trademark of Ford Motor Company, Inc.
Electriclear for GM ® is a registered trademark of General Motors Corporation.
2 3
1 I N S TA L L AT I O N
Dashboard Mounting
1. Place the detector on the dashboard
to find a location where the unit has
a clear, level view of the road. The
angle can NOT be adjusted after
mounting.
2. Remove the paper backing from one
side of the hook-and-loop fastener.
3. Attach the pad to the dashboard at
your chosen location and remove the
other paper backing.
4 5
4. Attach the detector to the hook-and-loop
fastener. You can remove and reattach
the unit as often as you like.
5. Plug the power cord into the detector.
6. Plug the cigarette lighter adapter on
the power cord into your vehicle's
cigarette lighter.
O P E R AT I O N • G E T T I N G S TA R T E D
1. Turn on the unit and adjust audio
volume by rotating the
ON-OFF/VOLUME CONTROL DIAL
clockwise (away from you).
2
2. You will hear 3 beeps and the Power
Indicator will light up in the display
indicating that the power is on.
X K/Ka L V/S Cty
NOTE: In some vehicles, power is
supplied to the cigarette lighter even
while the ignition is off. If this is the
case with your vehicle, you should
turn off or unplug your ESD-6060
when parking for lengthy periods.
3 O P E R AT I O N • S E T T I N G S
Highway/City Mode
Setting your ESD-6060 to City mode
delays all X band audio alerts at lower
signal strength levels. (A single beep will
sound when the signal is first detected.)
This will reduce false alerts while you are
driving in or near urban areas where there
are many sources for conflicting X band
signals such as microwave towers and
automatic door openers.
To change settings, follow the procedure in
the table below, which indicates what you
will see and hear as you complete each step.
The factory setting is Highway mode.
Muting an Alert
Your ESD-6060 allows you to quickly turn
off an audio alert by momentarily pressing
the MUTE button. If you press the MUTE
button a second time during the alert, the
audio alert will be turned back on.
O P E R AT I O N • S E T T I N G S
3
Auto Mute Mode
Auto Mute will automatically reduce the
audio volume of all alerts after 4 seconds
for as long as the signal is detected.
The factory setting for Auto Mute is ON.

CITY button
Press and release

Procedure Tone Visual Display MUTE button

Press and release
To change from Press and 1 beep Cty
Highway mode release the appears in
CITY button. the display Procedure Tone Visual Display
to City mode
To turn Press and release 1 beep none
To change from Press and 2 beeps Cty Auto Mute the MUTE button
City mode back release the while no alert
off off
CITY button is occurring.
to Highway again.
mode
To turn Press and release 2 beeps none
Auto Mute the MUTE button
City mode Highway again while no
X K/Ka L V/S Cty X K/Ka L V/S
mode on alert is occurring.

6 7
4 DETECTION DETECTION
4
Signals Detected Visual Display
Type of Signal Visual Display
The tables on the following pages show An indication of the type of signal
Radar X band radar X
you the types of signals your ESD-6060 detected will appear in the UltraBright™ K band radar K/Ka
will detect, as well as the voice and Data Display. Ka band radar K/Ka
visual alerts it provides for each one.
X K/Ka L V/S Cty
Audio Alerts X K/Ka L V/S Cty

A distinctly different alert tone is used for

each type of signal detected. For X, K and During laser alerts the letter ”L“ will appear.
X K/Ka L V/S Cty
Ka band radar signals, the tones will repeat X K/Ka L V/S Cty
faster as you approach the signal source.
The repeat rate of the tones gives you useful
Type of Signal Visual Display
information about the signal detected. (See During VG-2 Alert ® the letters ”V/S“ will
Laser* LTI 20-20™* L
Responding to Alerts, page 11.) appear. LTI Ultra-Lyte™* L
Kustom Signals ProLaser™* L
X K/Ka L V/S Cty
X K/Ka L V/S Cty Kustom Signals ProLaser III™* L

X K/Ka L V/S Cty During Safety Alert ® the letter ”V/S“ X K/Ka L V/S Cty

will appear.
X K/Ka L V/S Cty

* your ESD-6060 provides LaserEye® 360° detection of these signals

8 9
4 DETECTION DETECTION
4
Instant-On Detection
Type of Signal Visual Display
Your ESD-6060 is designed to detect You should take appropriate
Safety Alert® emergency vehicles V/S
road hazards V/S instant-on speed monitoring signals, which action immediately whenever
trains V/S can suddenly appear at full strength. an alert is given.

K/Ka V/S
Responding To Alerts
X L Cty

Description Interpretation Recommended Response

Type of Signal Visual Display tone repeats slowly at first, then probably police radar FULL ALERT
speeds up rapidly
VG-2 Alert® Interceptor VG-2™ V/S
tone sounds one time only probably a false alarm, but exercise caution
possibly pulsed radar
X K/Ka L V/S Cty tone instantly begins radar or VG-2 nearby has FULL ALERT
repeating rapidly been activated suddenly

tone repeats slowly as you probably police radar beyond FULL ALERT
approach a hill or bridge, then the hill or bridge
speeds up sharply as you reach it

tone repeats slowly for a short period probably a false alarm exercise caution

any type of laser alert laser alerts are never FULL ALERT
false alarms

any Safety Alert ® you are nearing an emergency exercise caution

vehicle, railroad crossing, or road
hazard (construction, accident, etc.)

20-20™ and Ultra-Lyte™ are trademarks of Laser
Technology, Inc.
ProLaser™ and ProLaser III™ are trademarks of
Kustom Signals, Inc.
Safety Alert ® Traffic Warning System, VG-2 Alert ®
and LaserEye ® are registered trademarks of
Cobra Electronics Corporation.
Interceptor VG-2™ is a trademark of TechniSonic
Industries LTD.

10 11
5 U N D E R S TA N D I N G R A D A R & L A S E R
Radar Speed
Monitoring Systems
Three band frequencies have been approved
by the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) for use by speed monitoring radar
equipment:
X band 10.525 GHz
K band 24.150 GHz
Ka band 33.400-36.00 GHz
Your ESD-6060 detects signals in all three
radar bands.
VG-2
VG-2 is a "detector detector" that works
by detecting low-level signals emitted by
most radar detectors. Your ESD-6060 does
not emit signals that can be detected by
VG-2, but does detect VG-2 signals and
will alert you when a device is in use
near your vehicle.
Safety Alert® Traffic
Warning System
FCC-approved Safety
Alert ® transmitters emit
microwave radar signals that indicate the
presence of a safety-related concern.
Depending on the frequency of the signal
emitted, it can indicate a speeding
12
emergency vehicle or train, or a stationary
road hazard.
Because these microwave signals are within
the K band frequency, most conventional
radar detectors will detect Safety Alert ®
signals as standard K band radar. Your
ESD-6060, however, is designed to
differentiate between standard K band
and Safety Alert ® signals, and give separate
alerts for each.
Safety Alert ® technology is relatively new.
Safety Alert ® transmitters can be found in
limited numbers in all 50 states, but the
number is growing. Depending on your
location, you may not receive these alerts
regularly and may often encounter
emergency vehicles, trains, and road
hazards without being alerted. As the
number of transmitters increases, these
alerts will become more common.
When you receive such an alert, please
watch for emergency vehicles ahead of you,
on cross streets, and behind you. If you see
an emergency vehicle approaching, please
pull over to the right side of the road and
allow it to pass.
U N D E R S TA N D I N G R A D A R & L A S E R
LIDAR (laser)
The correct name for the technology that most
people refer to as laser is actually LIDAR,
which stands for Light Detection and Ranging.
LIDAR operates much like radar. Its signal
spreads out like a radar signal, though not as
quickly. Unlike radar, LIDAR must have a clear
Some common questions about LIDAR include:
Does weather have any affect
on LIDAR?
Yes. Rain, snow, smoke, fog, or airborne
dust particles will reduce the effective
range of LIDAR and can, if dense enough,
prevent its operation.
Can LIDAR operate through glass?
Yes. Newer LIDAR guns can obtain
readings through most types of glass.
However, the laser pulse also can be
5
line of sight to its target vehicle throughout
the entire measurement interval. Obstructions
such as sign posts, utility poles, tree branches,
etc., will prevent valid speed measurement.
received through glass to trigger an alarm
by your ESD-6060.
Can LIDAR operate while in motion?
No. Because LIDAR operates by line of sight,
the person using it cannot drive the vehicle,
aim, and operate the gun all at the same time.
Is LIDAR legal to use?
Yes. It is legal in all 50 states.
13
6 MAINTENANCE & SERVICE
Maintenance of Your
Radar Detector
Your ESD-6060 is designed and built to
give you years of trouble-free performance
without the need for service. No routine
maintenance is required.
If your unit does not appear to be
operating properly, please follow
these troubleshooting steps:
Make sure the power cord is
properly connected.
Make sure the socket of your vehicle's
cigarette lighter is clean and free
of corrosion.
Make sure the power cord's cigarette
lighter adapter is firmly seated in your
cigarette lighter.
Check the power cord fuse. (Unscrew
the ribbed end cap of the cigarette
lighter adapter and examine the fuse.
If required, replace it with a 1-amp
fuse only.)
14
Service
You can receive technical assistance with
your unit through one of our customer
support services:
Automated Help Desk is available
24 hours a day, 7 days a week at
773-889-3087.
Customer Service Operators are
available at 773-889-3087 Monday
through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. CST.
Questions can be faxed to
773-622-2269.
Automated Technical Assistance
is available 24 hours, 7 days a week
via e-mail at: productinfo@cobra.com
On-line answers to frequently
asked questions can be found at:
www.cobra.com.
MAINTENANCE & SERVICE
If you suspect that your unit
requires service, please call
773-889-3087 BEFORE shipping
it to Cobra.® This will ensure that
you receive service as quickly
as possible.
If you are asked to send your unit to the
Cobra® factory, please follow these steps:
1. Send the complete unit, including
power cord. (It is not necessary to
include the mounting bracket.)
2. For warranty repair, enclose some
form of proof-of-purchase, such as a
photocopy or carbon copy of a sales
receipt. If you send the original
receipt, it cannot be returned.
3. Enclose a typed or clearly written
description of the problem you are
having with your unit, plus the name
and address where you want the
unit returned.
4. Pack the unit securely to prevent
damage during transit. If possible,
use the original packing materials.
6
5. Ship prepaid and insured using a
traceable carrier such as United
Parcel Service (UPS), Federal Express,
or first class mail with delivery
confirmation. Ship to:
Cobra Factory Service
Cobra Electronics Corporation
6500 West Cortland Street
Chicago, IL 60707 USA
6. Please allow 3 to 4 weeks before
contacting us about the status of
your service. Call 773-889-3087
for assistance.
If your unit is under warranty, it will
either be repaired or replaced upon
receipt, depending on the model. If your
unit is out of warranty, you will receive a
letter informing you of the repair or
replacement charge.
15
7 WA R R A N T Y

Wa
ar rra
S P E C I F I C AT I O N S
8

1 Ye

nty
QUALITY SEAL

Band Frequencies
Cobra Electronics Corporation X band 10.525 ± 0.050 GHz
6500 West Cortland Street, Chicago, Illinois 60707
QUALITY SEAL

www.cobra.com K band 24.125 ± 0.125 GHz

COBRA ELECTRONICS CORPORATION Exclusions: This limited warranty does not apply; Safety Alert ® 24.070 ± 0.010 GHz
®
warrants that its Cobra 6 Band™ Radar/Laser 1) to any product damaged by accident; 2) in Traffic Warning System
24.110 ± 0.010 GHz
Detectors, and the component parts thereof, will the event of misuse or abuse of the product or 24.190 ± 0.010 GHz
be free of defects in workmanship and materials as a result of unauthorized alterations or repairs;
24.230 ± 0.010 GHz
for period of one (1) year from the date of first 3) if the serial number has been altered,
consumer purchase. This warranty may be defaced or removed; 4) if the owner of the Ka band 34.700 ± 1.300 GHz
enforced by the first consumer purchaser, product resides outside the U.S.A. Laser 910 ± 50 nm
provided that the product is utilized within All implied warranties, including warranties of Unit Dimensions & Weight
the U.S.A. merchantability and fitness for a particular Dimensions 2 5⁄8"W x 1 1⁄8"H x 3 5⁄8"D
®
Cobra will, without charge, repair or replace, at its purpose are limited in duration to the length Weight 110 grams
option, defective 6 Band™ Radar/Laser Detectors, of this warranty.
products or component parts upon delivery to the Cobra® shall not be liable for any incidental,
Cobra® Factory Service Department, accompanied consequential or other damages; including,
by proof of the date of first consumer purchase, without limitation, damages resulting from
such as a duplicated copy of a sales receipt. loss of use or cost of installation.
You must pay any initial shipping charges Some states do not allow limitations on how
required to ship the product for warranty long an implied warranty lasts and/or do not
service, but the return charges will be at allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental
Cobra's expense, if the product is repaired or consequential damages, so the above
or replaced under warranty. limitations may not apply to you. This radar detector is covered by one or more of the following U.S. patents:
This warranty gives you specific rights, and 5,497,148; 5,594,432; 5,612,685; 6,078,279; 6,094,148. Additional
you may also have other rights which vary patents may be listed inside the product or pending.
from state to state.
16 17
9 OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES ORDER FORM
10
You can find these fine accessories at Item # Description Cost Ea. Qty. Amount
your local Cobra® dealer. If you wish, 420-030-N-001 Straight 12V Power Cord
420-026-N-001 Curled 12V Power Cord
you can order directly from Cobra.®
545-139-N-001 Windshield Mounting Bracket
To order by phone xxx-xxx-N-001 Dual Port Power Adapter
Call 773.889.3087 Prices subject to change without notice. Subtotal
(Press 1 from the main menu (Tax if applicable)
Tax Table
8 a.m.-6 p.m. M-F CST. ) Straight 12V DC Power Cord Illinois residents add 8.75%
Shipping/handling $4.00
Indiana residents add 5% Total
To order by mail or fax Includes plug and fuse Michigan residents add 6%
Please fill out order form on next page, 420-030-N-001 Ohio residents add 5%
Wisconsin residents add 5%
and mail/fax directly to Cobra.®
To order online For credit card orders fill out order Make check or money order To order online,
Go to www.cobra.com and click on form and fax to: 773.622.2269 payable to: please visit our website at:
“shop Cobra.®” or call 773.889.3087 Cobra Electronics www.cobra.com
(Press 1 from the main menu) 6500 West Cortland Street and click “shop Cobra®”
8:00 am - 6:00 pm, M-F, CST. Chicago, IL 60707 USA
Attn: Accessories Dept.
Windshield Mounting Bracket Please print clearly
Includes suction cups
Name
545-139-N-001
Address (No P.O. Box)

City State

Zip

Telephone ( )

Credit Card No. Exp. Date

Dual Port Power Adapter Curled 12V DC Power Cord Circle One: Visa MasterCard Discover
Includes adjustable plug (upto 90˚) Includes plug and fuse Customer Signature
and fuse xxx-xxx-N-001 420-026-N-001 Allow 2-3 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in Continental U.S. only.

18 19
 The Cobra® line of quality products includes:

CB radios
®
microTALK radios
Radar/Laser Detectors
®
Safety Alert
Traffic Warning Systems
Accessories
HighGear™ Accessories

For more information or

to order any of our products,
please visit our website:
www.cobra.com
Click “shop Cobra®”

Nothing comes close to a Cobra™

©2002 Cobra Electronics Corporation

Printed in Korea 6500 West Cortland Street
Part No. 480-014-P Chicago, IL 60707 USA